Electric cigar and pipe lighter



Z 1 n M 5, @uw INVENTR July 7, 1925.

#ls-QQATTo-mgg Patented July 7, 1925.

WALTER S. RUGG, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC CIGAB- PIPE LIGHTER.

Application area December 1, 1922. sei-iai No. 604,121.

To all fic/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, VALTER S. RUGG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburgh, county of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Cigar and Pipe Lighters, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to means for lighting cigars or other -ignition purposes.

It has become the practice, to a considerable extent, to install electric cigar' lighters upon automobiles and inasmuch as they are often used by the person driving the car -I who must ordinarily maintain one hand upon the wheel, it is essential, from a. practical standpoint, that the lighter should be usable by one hand only. It is further practically essential that when the device is not in use it shall be out of the way and secure from injury. To this end it has been customary to install electric cigar lighters provided with an exposed incandescent filament fed by a pair of wires wound upon a reel, the reel being spring actuated so thatv it tends to reel up the wires and draw the igniter yinto compact relationship with the dashboard of the vehicle. The exposed igniting filament is fragile and in order to protect it from injury it has been customary to mountupon the filament support a bell-shaped shield surrounding thefilament and extending beyond it so that the filament is not likely to be struck by objects moving about in the vehicle. Cigars, cigarettes and the like may be inserted within the bell and against the incandescent filament 'but it is impossible to use this filament Yto ignite substances which cannot beinserted within the shield, for instance, the shield interferes with the bringing of the igniting element into contact with the contents of a pipe, or it may interferewith other desired uses of the igniting element.

lVliile the nature of the invention has been outlined in connection with one of its best known applications, it will be understood that the invention is not llimited to such use nor to any particular form of shield or movement of the shield in order to adapt the device to any desired use.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an ignitionelement with a Vshield for protecting the same, and said shield being movable with relation to said element whereby the element may be normally protected and at the same time adjustment of the shield may be effected so as to permit of the desired use of the said element.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatically operable shielding means.

Other and ancillary objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention- Fig. l is a side elevation of the front portion of an automobile, the rear portion being broken away and Vwith a portion of vthe front portion broken away showing the dashboard in section and the improved device applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the device with yone side of the casing for the conductor reeling and contacting means broken away to show the interior thereof and the dashboard or other support being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is an axial longitudinal section of the ignition portion of the device of Fig. 2, the remainder of the device being broken away and in both Figs. 2 and 3 the shield is shown in its normal protecting position; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the movable ignition portion showing the shield in retracted position so that the ignition member projects beyond the same and is adapted to light a pipe or for other uses;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4 partly broke-n away;

Fig. 6 is a diagram of electrical connections; and

Fig. 7 is an elevation showing the interior of the casing 4 viewed from the right hand side'ofFig. 2, the side of the casing being removed.

Referring to the vdrawings the automobile 1 having a dashboard 2 is 'supplied with the cigar lighter 3. The cigar lighter includes a casing 4 withinwhich is mounted a rod 5 secured against rotation.. Rotatably moimtved upon the rod 5 is a reel having a metal flange 10 as one part and another part including the. cup-shaped flange 36 and the metal drum 36,.the two parts being insulated from each other by an insulating piece comprising the sleeve l1 and flange 10', the last being secured to the circular metal portion 10. One of said flanges is connected with the ungrounded terminal of the battery of the automobile, while the other CII flange is suitably connected with the casing which is ground in any 'suitable way. Wlthin the flange 36, which is connected with ground, and the bar 5 is a coiled spring 6A having one end secured to the bar 5 and the other end'secured to the grounded fiange. The ungrounded fiange of the reel which is insulated from the other flange, as before described, is connected and disconnected with 'the terminal 7 which is insulated from the'casing and connected with the ungrounded terminal of the vehicle battery by the following device: Y

Secured to the casing is a block of insulating material 8 upon which is mounted, in electrical contact with the terminal 7, a spring member 9 tending to comeagainst t-he rim of the ungrounded flange 10. Y It is held from so doing, however,lby an arm-11, which is pivoted on the insulating block 8 so as to be insulated from the casing and from the terminal 7, which engages a piece of insulation 12 secured to the spring arm 9. The position of the arm 11 is determined by means ofV a spiral slot 13 in the outer side of the ungrounded reel flange 10 in which engages a pin 14 fixed on the arm 11. y In the retracted position of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2 in which the twisted conductors 24 and 23 are wound upon the reel, the arm 11 bears against the insulating piece 12 secured to the member 9 and holds the spring contact 9 off of the periphery of the'reel side 10 so that circuit through the ignition element is broken. `When, however, the-igniter is grasped and pulled outwardly so as`to unwind the conductor from the reel, the reel will be turned in the direction opposite that of the arrow and the arm 11 will move inwardly by the action of the slot on the pin, and after the igniter has been drawn a short distance from the dashboard the contact spring 9 will come against the periphery of the *ungrounded reel flange 10 so that circuit will be made and will be maintained as the'igniter Yis pulled further away Afrom the dashboard and the conductors are further 4unwo'und from the reel. On release of the igniter the, spring 6 will turn the reel in the direction of the arrow and reel up: the conductor and draw theigniter against the support, the'spiral Vslot 13 acting then to move the arm 11 outwardly so that when the igniter is at a point a short distance from the dashboard as before referred to, the contact 9 will leave engagement with the ungrounded reel flangeand the circuit of the igniter will be broken.V

The grounded flange 36 is connected with ground by a spring contact 37 wiping on the flange 36 and secured tothe terminal 41 connected with the ground or vehicle frame by any suitable conductor. The casing `referred to is secured to a threaded sleeve 15 upon which are mounted nuts 16 Vand 17,

the sleeve 15 passing through a suitable hole Adapted to telescope within the sleeve 15 is a metal-shell 18 within which is mounted an insulating block 19 through which lead conductors 20 and 21 to therincandescent filament 22. The rear ends of the Iconductors 20 and 21 are connected respectively with the twisted insulated conductors 23 and 24, which pair Vof vconductors extends back through the sleeve 15 into the casing 4 and is wound about the reel, the end of one of the conductors being soldered to the grounded reel flange 36 while the other conductor is soldered to the ungrounded reel fiange 10.

In the normal position ofthe apparatus whereinthe spring reel has reeled up the pair of conductors 23 and 24 and the shell 15 and its carried conductors drawn within the sleeve 15, a bell-shaped shield 25 encloses theV enclosed incandescent filament 22 and extends outwardly Vbeyond the same as will be seen clearly from Fig. 3 so that the lilament is not likely toI be contacted by any things moving about within the vehicle.

The shield is held in this'extended and protecting position by reason of the fact that its rear end 26 comes againstfthe end of Y the sleeve 15 and forces the shield outwardly against the pressure of the Y spring 27 inserted between the intwined end 26 ofthe shield and pins 28 fixed in the shell 18 and body 19. In drawing out the igniting member, after the shell 18 has been withdrawn a short distance beyond the end of the sleeve 15, the fingers are placed back of the end 29 of the shell and the'spring 27 then forces the p shield to the rear so as to expose the filament as shown in Fig. 4, the shield then being retracted so that the incandescent filament is outside the edges thereof and may be inserted ina pipe to Vignite the contents thereof or used for other purposes where an extended position Vof the shield, as shown in Fig. 3, would interfere.

At points removed approximately ninety degrees from the pins 28, pins 3() are fixed upon theshield 25 at opposite sides thereof and are adapted to slide in slots 31 in the shell 18. Offset from each of the slots 3l is a notch 32 adapted to receive one ofthe pins 30. By this means the shield 25 may be secured in an additional intermedia-te position by turning it so that the pins will enter within the notches 32. Thus with notches arranged as indicated in the drawing the shield would be held in the position as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4,'its outer extremity being substantially flush with the outer port-ion of the ignition lila- Vment, this position being intermediate of the fully extended position as shown in Fig. 3, or the fully retracted position 'as shown in the full lines of Fig. l. By Suitably locating notches the shield may be held in any desired position of adjustment with relation to the ignition filament.

Referring especially now to Fig. 6, it will be seen that kthe ungrounded reel flange 10 is adapted to be .connected and. disconnected with ythe cont-act 9 as the reel isturned as hereinbefore set forth, and that the contact 9 is connected with vone terminal of the` vehicle battery 34, the other terminal of the battery being comiected with the ground, that is the frame of the vehicle, at 35. The grounded flange 36 of the reel is connected through a spring contact 37 bearing on its periphery through the Vcasing 4 and the conductor .3S with the ground at 39. One of the insu-lated conductors 23 adapted `to be wound upon the reel is connected to the grounded flange 36 and with one terminal of the ign-ition` element 22 through conductor 20 as shown, while the other terminal of that element is connected through conductor 2l and the other insulated conductor 24 to the ungrounded flange l() of the reel and Yconsequently it is .connected or disconnected with the ung-rounded terminal of .the battery according to whether or not the contact 9 is in engagement with the reel side 10. It will be apparent that when such connection exists circuit will be made through the bat tery, the metal reel sides, conductors 23, 2st, 2O and 2l and the igniting element 22, will glow, and that t-he circuit will be broken and the filament cease to glow when the circuit is broken between the contacts 9 and 10.

It will now appear from the foregoing that normally the apparatus is in position as shown in Fig. 2 with the shield extending outwardly beyond the incandescent lament so as to protect the same, vbeing held in this position against the tensiony of the spring 27 by reason of the spring 6 which operates to turn the reel to reel Aup the conductor and is suliiciently strong to draw the shell 29 into the sleevey 15 and force the shield outwardly against the spring 27. When it is desired toy use the device the shield 25 is grasped and the ignition element drawn a sufficient distance from the dashboard to permit the lingers to beplaced back of the end 29, the pull being exercised against the shoulder for the remainder of the movement of the ignition element. This leaves the shield 25 free to move under the influence of the spring 27 which it does and exposes the ignition element beyond the edge of the shield as shown in Fig. 4. Also the circuit of the incandescent filament will be closed after the device has been removed a. few inches from the dashboard as before described..l The desired ignition having been accomplished the hold on the. device may be relinquished when the spring reel will draw vthe shell 18 into the-sleeve 15 the circuit of the filament having been broken as it returns to the dashboard as before described, and, the rear end ofthe shell 25, coming against the end of the sleeve 15, will be forced outwardly into protecting position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The operation just referred to is upon the assumption that the shield 25 is in such position that the pins 30 may slide in the slots 3l and that the shield 'has not been turned to cause the pins ignition element and a mounting therefor, 3"

and a shield for said element movable with relation to said element said shield surrounding said element in at least one of its positions, and means `for maintaining said element heated independently of the posi- 3* tion of said shield with relation to said element. Y

2. In an ignition device, the combination with a support, of a member movable with relation to said support and comprising an l ignition element and a mounting therefor, and a shield for said element movable with relation to said element said mounting and ignition element telescoping within said shield said shield surrounding said element in at least one of its positions, and means for maintaining said element heated independently of the position of said shield with relation to said element.

3. In an ignition device, the combination 'with a. support, of a member movable with relation to said support comprising a heated electric lila-ment and a mounting' therefor and a shield for said filament movable by Vsaid support with relation to said filament as said member is moved with relation to said support and means for maintaining electric connection with relative filament during the said movement of said shield and filament.

el. In an ignition device, the combination with a support, of a member movable with relation to said support comprising an ignition element and a mounting therefor and a circular shield for said element, said element being axially movable within said shield by said support as said member is moved with relation to said support.

5. In an ignition device, the combination with a support, of a member movable with relation to said support comprising an igni- -tion element and a mounting therefor and a shield for said element movably mounted Von said member and movable with relation to said element, and means maintaining the electric circuit of said element in all relative positions of said shield and element;

6. In an ignition device the combination with a support, of a member movable with relation thereto, said member comprising an ignitionelement and `a shield for said element reciprocating axially on said niem- Vber, and movable With relation to said element, and means maintaining the electric circuit of said element in all relative positions of said shield and element.

bination With a support, of a member movable with relation to said support comprising an incandescing ignition filament and a shield for said filament reciprocating on said member and movable by said support With relation to said filament and means for maintaining electrical connection With said filament as the said shield is moved With relation to said filament. Y

9.In an ignition device, the combination with a support, of a member movable with relation thereto comprising an ignition ele-Y ment, a shield movable with relation to said element and reciprocating on said mem- Y ber and means for biasing said shield to one direction of movement and means maintaining the electric circuit of said element in all relative positions of said shield and element. l0.' In an ignition device, the combination with a support, Jof a member movable With relation thereto comprising an ignition elcnient, a'shield reciprocating on said member to innove into positions to protect andl expose said element respectively, and a spring adapted to move said shield into position to expose said element.

Il. In an electric ignition device, the com- *.bination with a support,'of a member' comprising an electric incaiidesciiig filament at one end thereof' and a shield reciprocating upon said vmember and adapted to project beyond said filament to protect the same or to be Withdrawn Within the end of the iilament to expose the same and a spring tending to movevsa-id shield in position to expose said filament. Y

l2. In an ignition device the combination With a support, of a member movable with relation to said support comprising an igiiition element, and a shield for said element, said shield and element being relatively movable as said member is moved With relation to saidsupport and means for retraeting said member against said support, said shield occupying a protecting position With relation to said element When said member is retracted against said support, said element being adapted to be exposed When said member is moved away from said support. l

13. In an ignition device, the combination with a support, of a member movable with relation to said support comprising an ignition element, and a bell-shaped shield for said element, said shield and element being relatively movable as said member is moved With relation to said support, and n cans for retracting said member against said support, said shield occupying a protecting position With relation to said element when said member is retracted against said sup-V port, said element being adapted to be eX- posed when said member is moved away from said support.

14C. In an ignition device, the combination With a support, 'of a member movable with relation to said support comprising an ignition element, a shield reciprocating upon said member into protecting and exposing positions with relation to said element, a spring tending to move said shield in'position to expose said element, means for retracting said member against said support and adapted to move said shield against the pressure of said spring into element protecting' position. Y

l5. In an ignition device, the combination With a support, of a member movable With relation to said support comprising an insulating mounting and an incandescing electric filament at one end of said mounting, electric conductors for establishing an electric circuit through said filament, a spring actuated reel for said conductors adapted to draw said member against said support, a shield for said filament movable with relation thereto and reciprocating upon Vsaid member and adapted to be thrown into position for protecting said filament when said vmember is retracted against said support.

16. In an ignition device, ythe combination with a support, of' a member movable With relation thereto and comprising a body of insulation and an ineandescing electric fila.-

1 ment at one end of said body, electric conductors secured to said body and connected With said filament to supply it with current, a spring operated reel for said conductors adapted to retract said member against said support, a lament shield reciprocatingupon said member With relation to said filament and a spring Vtending to move said shield into position exposing said filament, the pull exercised upon said conductors by said spring` reel being greater than the spring pressure holding said shield in filament exposing position whereby when said member is retracted against said support, said shield will be forced into protecting position with relation to said filament. I

17. In an ignition device, the combination with an ignition element, of a support therefor, a shield mounted on said support and movable with relation to said element to protect or expose the same and means for securing said shield intermediate its extreme positions of movement.

18. In an ignition device, the combination with an ignition element, of a support therefor, and a circular shield for said element reciprocating axially upon said support, said support and shield having a pin and slot engagement permitting relative longitudinal movement and the slot having a notch inter mediate of its ends whereby, by relative turning' of the shield and support the pin may be entered within the notch to secure the shield at a position intermediate its ex- U tremes of movement with relation to said support.

19. In a combined cigar and pipe lighter, the combination of an ignition element, a mounting therefor, a shield for said element movably mounted with relation thereto and adapted to be moved into extended position to embrace and protect the element and to be retracted to expose the element, and means for maintaining the electric circuit of the element in both the extended and retracted positions of said shield.

20. In a combined cigar and pipe lighter, the combination of an ignition element, a mounting therefor, a shield for said ele-ment movably mounted With relation thereto and A adapted to be moved into extended position to embrace and protect said element and to be retracted to expose said element, means for maintaining the electric circuit of said element in both the extended and retracted positions of said shield and means biasing said shield into its retracted position.

21. The combination with a support, of a combined cigar and pipe lighter movable toward and away from said support and comprising in combination an ignition element, a mounting therefor, a shield for said element movably mounted with relation thereto and adapted to be moved into extended position to embrace and protect said element and to be retracted to expose said element and means for maintaining the electric circuit of said element in both the extended and retracted positions of said shield, electric conductors connected to said lighter, a spring reel for said conductors tending to retract said lighter against said support, said support when said lighter is retracted moving said shield into extended position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 25th day of November 1922.

WALTER S. RUGG. 

